Today we look at an interesting member of the New York Giants' 90-man roster as we continue our player-by-player profiles. Fullback Nikita Whitlock was a collegiate nose tackle who had 18.5 sacks and 19 tackles for loss in four years at Wake Forest. At 5-foot-11, 250 pounds, however, being an NFL defensive lineman is not going to happen. He chose fullback over a move to inside linebacker. Can Whitlock complete the transition?
2014 Season in Review
Whitlock was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Cincinnati Bengals, and was waived at the end of the preseason. He ended up spending part of the season the Dallas Cowboys practice squad, and was also suspended for four games. The Giants signed him to a reserve/futures contract at the end of the season.
2015 Season Outlook
The Giants are not carrying two fullbacks, and provided Henry Hynoski is healthy the job will belong to him. Whitlock? During the 2014 preseason he earned a +1.9 run blocking grade from Pro Football Focus in 44 offensive snaps. If he is similarly impressive this time around perhaps he earns a spot on the practice squad as an insurance policy.